Catheter placement device and placement system

Abstract

A placement device is provided for causing a catheter to be placed inside of a body. The placement device includes an insertion unit, a transmission unit and a supply member. The supply member includes a supply unit main body, and a projection. A through-hole is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply unit main body at a position closer to a distal end side of the supply portion main body than the projection, and the through-hole communicates with an inside of the supply unit main body at the distal end side of the supply unit main body.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A placement device for causing a catheter to place an inside of a body, the device comprising:
 an insertion unit which is flexible, and which is capable of being inserted into and removed from the catheter, the insertion unit being capable of observing an object located more distally than a distal end of the insertion unit; 
 a transmission unit which has a first connecting portion to be detachably connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion unit, and which transmits an image obtained by observation of the insertion unit or a signal obtained by converting the image; and 
 a supply member into which the insertion unit is to be inserted so as to be drawable therefrom, and to which a proximal end portion of the catheter is to be detachably attached, 
 wherein the supply member includes:
 a supply unit main body formed in a cylindrical shape into which the insertion unit is to be inserted, and 
 a projection, formed of an elastic material, the projection on an inner peripheral surface of the supply unit main body, and which contacts with the insertion unit hermetically and holds the insertion unit such that the insertion unit is capable of sliding, the projection surrounding the insertion unit from a proximal end to a distal end of the supply unit main body, and 
 
 wherein:
 a through-hole is formed at a position closer to the distal end of the supply unit main body than the proximal end of the supply unit main body; 
 the through-hole is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply unit main body; and 
 the through-hole communicates:
 with an inside of the supply unit main body, and 
 at the distal end of the supply unit main body. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of projections are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the supply unit main body. 
     
     
       3. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein the supply unit main body and the projection are integrally formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
       4. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a locking portion is provided at the proximal end portion of the catheter, and 
 a locked portion is formed over an entire periphery of the supply unit main body on an outer peripheral surface of the supply unit main body and the locking portion is locked to the locked portion. 
 
     
     
       5. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein the insertion unit has:
 a condenser lens which collects light from the distal end of the insertion unit, and 
 a light source which emits the light to the distal end of the insertion unit, which generates heat, and which comes into contact with the condenser lens. 
 
     
     
       6. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein an imaging element for acquiring the image is located inside the transmission unit. 
     
     
       7. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a second connecting portion having a second opening is provided in the proximal end portion of the insertion unit, and 
 a sealing member which is detachable from the second opening and which hermetically covers the second opening is connected to the insertion unit via an interlocking member. 
 
     
     
       8. The placement device according to  claim 1 , wherein the insertion unit includes an outer cover tube, an optical fiber inserted into the outer cover tube, and a lens or a transparent cover which covers the optical fiber from a proximal end side. 
     
     
       9. A placement system comprising:
 the placement device according to  claim 1 ; and 
 the catheter. 
 
     
     
       10. The placement system according to  claim 9 , wherein the catheter includes:
 a tube main body that is formed in a tubular shape, and into which the insertion unit is inserted, and 
 a first projection which projects inward in a radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of a distal end portion of the tube main body, and which is locked with a distal end surface of the insertion unit. 
 
     
     
       11. The placement system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first projection is provided in only a portion of the tube main body in a circumferential direction of the tube main body. 
     
     
       12. The placement system according to  claim 10 , wherein the catheter includes a second projection which projects inward in the radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of the tube main body. 
     
     
       13. The placement system according to  claim 10 , wherein the catheter includes a linear member which is formed of a more rigid material than the tube main body, and which is provided in the tube main body along an axis of the tube main body. 
     
     
       14. The placement system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 a portion of the linear member projects inward in the radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of the tube main body, and 
 a remaining portion of the linear member is buried into the tube main body. 
 
     
     
       15. The placement system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a fluid supply unit which supplies a fluid to the through-hole. 
     
     
       16. A placement system comprising:
 the placement device according to  claim 1 ; 
 the catheter,
 wherein the catheter has a tube main body which is formed in a tubular shape; and 
 
 a guide tube into which the insertion unit is inserted, the guide tube being attached to an outer peripheral surface of the tube main body or being located inside the tube main body. 
 
     
     
       17. The placement system according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluid supply unit includes a pressure feeding tube whose distal end portion is to be inserted into the through-hole.